Fatal Shooting Of PA Trooper Traced To Westfield Woman's Gun Purchase

WESTFIELD, NJ — A Westfield woman was sentenced to one to two years in state prison for purchasing a gun that was used in the shooting death of a Pennsylvania state trooper more than a decade ago, according to U.S. News.

Emily Joy Gross, 37, pleaded guilty in June in Monroe County to a third-degree felony firearms charge. Monroe County Judge Stepen Higgins sentenced Gross on Friday to 12 to 24 months minus time served in related federal prosecution, The (Allentown) Morning Call reported.

Authorities said Gross bought the .99 semi-automatic handgun, falsely claiming to be a Pennsylvania resident, and left it with her boyfriend, Daniel Autenrieth, who used it to shoot Trooper Joshua Miller 13 years ago.

According to The Morning Call, Gross purchased the weapon even though she knew Autenrieth was barred from having firearms due to a protection-from-abuse order filed by his ex-wife.

Miller was killed on June 7, 2009, after a 40-mile car chase ended with a shootout in the Poconos. Authorities said after Autenrieth kidnapped his 9-year-old son from his estranged wife’s home in Nazareth, he led police on a pursuit.

During the pursuit, Miller's cruiser crashed into Autenrieth's car on Route 611 in Coolbaugh Township, PA. As Miller approached Autenrieth to arrest him, Autenrieth shot Miller in the throat and leg. Pennsylvania State Police said Miller was pronounced dead a short time later.

Autenrieth, struck by return fire from Miller and the other trooper, also died, according to police. The boy was not injured in the shooting.

Gross was previously sentenced in 2011 to seven months in federal prison after pleading guilty to lying about her address on the firearms purchase form, according to The Morning Call.

Then-Vice President Joe Biden presented the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor, the nation's highest award for first responders, to Miller's family, according to U.S. News. Miller was a Marine veteran and a father of three.

Trooper Robert Lombardo, who was shot in shoulder during the shootout, also received a medal.

Have a news tip? Email remy.samuels@patch.com.